Effect of glabridinon on insulin resistance, C-reactive protein and endothelial function in young women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Abstract

In the present study 32 women with polycystic ovary syndrome were treated with glabridin (10 µM) daily for 12 months. The results revealed a significant reduction in serum testosterone from 95.3 ± 23.6 to 49.8 ± 12.7 ng/dL and fasting insulin concentrations from 12.3 ± 5.2 to 8.11 ± 3.42 U/mL after glabridin treatment. It also leads to a marked improvement in insulin resistance indices and reduction in hirsutism score from 12.8 ± 3.2 to 7.0 ± 3.5. More interestingly, all the women reverted to regular menstrual cycles. The sex hormone-binding globulin level increased significantly from 23.1 ± 5.6 to 52.5 ± 15.8 nmol/L after glabridin treatment. The levels of serum hsCRP decreased from 0.32 ± 0.08 to 0.06 ± 0.01 mg/dL and that of endothelium-dependent vascular responses from 17.2 ± 4.3 to 8.8 ± 2.4% after glabridin treatment. Therefore, glabridin acts as a potent candidate for the improve-ment of insulin sensitivity and androgen production.